Kalanchoe plant named ‘KJ 2003-0561’

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of  Kalanchoe  plant named ‘KJ 2003-0561’, characterized by its upright plant habit; dark green-colored leaves; large orange red-colored flowers with more than 15 petals per flower; and excellent postproduction longevity.

Botanical designation: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.

Variety denomination: ‘KJ 2003-0561’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofKalanchoe plant, botanically known as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘KJ 2003-0561’.

The new Kalanchoe is a product of a planned breeding program conductedby the Inventor in Hinnerup, Denmark. The objective of the breedingprogram was to create new freely-flowering Kalanchoe cultivars withlarge flowers, numerous petals per flower, attractive flower colorationand excellent postproduction longevity.

The new Kalanchoe originated from a cross-pollination made in Hinnerup,Denmark, of the Kalanchoe cultivar 2001-1855, not patented, as thefemale, or seed, parent with the Kalanchoe cultivar Celine (U.S. PlantPatent application Ser. No. 10/654,563, now abandoned), as the male, orpollen, parent. The new Kalanchoe was discovered and selected by theInventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination grown in a controlled environment in Hinnerup,Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new Kalanchoe by terminal cuttings atHinnerup, Denmark, by the Inventor, has shown that the unique featuresof this new Kalanchoe are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar KJ 2003-0561 has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘KJ 2003-0561’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘KJ 2003-0561’ as a new and distinctcultivar:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.    -   2. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   3. Large orange red-colored flowers with more than 15 petals per        flower.    -   4. Excellent postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Kalanchoe differ from plants of the parent cultivarsin petal number and coloration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Kalanchoe, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Kalanchoe. The photographs were taken under diffuse naturallight conditions on a sunny day at approximately noon in Hinnerup,Denmark.

The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a side perspective viewof a typical flowering plant of ‘KJ 2003-0561’.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a top perspectiveview of a typical flowering plant of ‘KJ 2003-0561’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Plants used in thephotographs and for the following observations and measurements weregrown in Hinnerup, Denmark, under commercial practice in a glass-coveredgreenhouse for about ten to twelve weeks after the start of shortday/long night photoperiodic treatment with average temperatures of 20°C. Plants used in the description and photographs were not pinched.Unless otherwise specified, the leaf description represents leaves froma vegetative plant.

-   Botanical classification: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cultivar KJ    2003-0561.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cultivar            2001-1855, not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cultivar            Celine (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 10/654,563).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal cuttings.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—About two weeks.        -   Root description.—Numerous, fine, fibrous, and            well-branched.-   Plant description:    -   -   Form.—Upright plant habit with numerous compound cymes;            freely flowering. Actual plant shape will depend on whether            or not plants are pinched (apical terminals removed).        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching. Pinching (removal of            terminal apex) is not required but will enhance lateral            branch development.        -   Plant height at flowering.—About 24 cm.        -   Plant diameter at flowering.—About 20 cm.        -   Foliage description.—Arrangement: Opposite, simple. Size:            Leaf size is reduced after floral induction. Vegetative            plants: Length: About 9 cm. Width: About 7 cm. Reproductive            plants: Length: About 3.5 cm. Width: About 2.5 cm. Shape:            Oval. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Attenuate to obtuse. Margin:            Crenate; undulate. Aspect: Slightly concave. Texture, upper            and lower surfaces: Glabrous; leathery; succulent. Color:            Developing and fully expanded foliage, upper surface: 147A.            Developing and fully expanded foliage, lower surface: 147B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—Single flowers arranged in compound            dichasial cymes that arise from leaf axils. Upright            flowering stems. Freely flowering. Flowers persistent.        -   Natural flowering season.—Winter to early spring; flower            initiation and development can be induced under short            day/long night conditions.        -   Time to flower.—In the summer with 20° C. growing            temperatures, about 12 weeks of short day/long night            conditions are required to produce flowering plants. During            the winter with supplemental lighting and 20° C. growing            temperatures, about 13 weeks of short day/long night            conditions are required to produce flowering plants. Time to            flower is primarily dependent upon temperature and light            intensity.        -   Flower opening.—First flower open is the terminal flower at            the main axis and is followed by the opening of the terminal            flowers of the side branches of the inflorescence. About one            week after the first flower has opened, 50% of the remaining            flowers are open.        -   Post-production longevity.—Plants of the new Kalanchoe            maintain good leaf and flower substance for about five weeks            under interior environmental conditions.        -   Flower diameter.—About 2 cm.        -   Quantity.—Freely flowering, about 150 to 285 flowers per            plant.        -   Flower buds.—Shape: Narrowly oblong. Length: About 1.8 cm.            Width: About 6 mm. Color: 44C.        -   Petals.—Quantity: Typically more than 15 fused at base.            Length: About 9 mm. Diameter: About 6 mm. Shape: Round            obovate. Apex: Cuspidate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and            lower surfaces: Glabrous, smooth and satiny. Color: Upper            surface: Close to 44B. Lower surface: 41C.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Stamen number: About six.            Anther shape: Slightly oblong. Filament color: Green. Pollen            color: Yellow. Pistils: Pistil number: About three to four.            Style color: Green. Stigma shape: Round. Ovaries: Superior            and four-celled. Ovary size: About 5 mm by 1 mm. Ovary            color: Light green.        -   Seed/fruit.—Seed and fruit production has not been observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to known pathogens and pests    common to Kalanchoe has not been observed on plants of the new    Kalanchoe grown under commercial greenhouse conditions.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘KJ 2003-0561’,as illustrated and described.